3 held in Oak Lawn bank robbery

Three men have been charged in connection with the robbery of a TCF Bank branch in Oak Lawn, the FBI announced today.

Benjamin Williams, Matthew Casey and Charles Lewis were each charged with one count of bank robbery, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Chicago.

On Jan. 2, Benjamin Williams, 22, entered the TCF Bank at 9801 S. Cicero Ave. and handed a note to a teller announcing a robbery, according to the complaint. Williams then threatened to harm the bank employee if his demands were not met, the complaint says. Williams never produced a weapon, and no injuries were reported, according to records.

After getting about $2,900 in cash, Williams fled to a car that was driven by Lewis, 24. Casey, 19, also was a passenger in the vehicle, police said.

Oak Lawn officers spotted the get-away car a short time later, according to the statement. When they stopped the car, police found a large sum of money scattered on the floor and back seat of the vehicle, the complaint says. The men were then taken into custody, police said.

An investigation by the FBI and the Oak Lawn police led to charges being filed Monday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier ordered the men held without bond pending their next court date. The men could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.